Ireland is set to enjoy a prolonged hot spell thanks to a tropical plume that’s wafting our way.
Met Eireann says a tropical southwesterly airflow will send temperatures well above average - and that the hot weather could last for the entire month of May.
The cloudy and overcast conditions we’ve had over recent days are due to give way to bright, sunny and warm weather from Friday.
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In its overall forecast for this weekend and next week, the national forecaster said: “A southwesterly airflow will be dominant with higher than average pressure over Ireland. High pressure will bring mainly settled conditions with no hazardous weather expected.
“Some weak fronts from the Atlantic will however brush the west and northwest of Ireland during the week. Most areas will have drier than normal conditions this week. The west and far northwest will have normal to slightly above normal rainfall for the time of year.
“Winds will generally be light, and temperatures will trend between 1C or 2C above average.”
While Met Eireann says that “forecasts beyond one week become increasingly uncertain due to the chaotic nature of the atmosphere”, it does make monthly predictions to help “give an insight into weather patterns in the month ahead”.
And it's good news for the remainder of May as above average temperatures look set to persist.
Looking ahead to the week of May 13 to 19, it said: “The influence of high pressure will weaken in week two with lower pressure from the Atlantic likely to have more of an impact on our weather than that of week one.
“Some rain or showers and breezy spells are expected to move in from the Atlantic over Ireland in week two. The eastern half of the country will continue to have drier than normal weather with high pressure maintaining an influence here. Further to the west, rainfall totals will likely be average to slightly above average for the time of year.
“A mild southerly flow is signalled, with temperatures continuing to trend 1C above average. No indications of any hazardous weather.”
The weather is signalled to turn more “unsettled” between May 20 and 26, but temperatures are due to remain slightly above average.
A forecaster said: “There are signs for week three to be more unsettled overall with low pressure moving in from the Atlantic likely to dominate conditions for Ireland. Above average rainfall is signalled for most areas. Atlantic areas will likely see the most rainfall.
“There is a signal for temperatures to be average for the time of year, or slightly above.”
Looking ahead to the end of this month and start of June, Met Eireann continued: “For week four, low pressure is signalled to maintain its influence. Rainfall totals will likely be average for most areas, perhaps a little above average in western areas.
“Temperatures will continue to trend average or slightly above.”
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